The 8th World Cleft Conference of the International Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation (ICPF) was held in Hanoi & was inaugurated by the Vice-President of Vietnam, Her Excellency Ms. Neuyen Thi Doan. Seen here in this photograph are Prof. S.M. Balaji, Board of Trustee, ICPF, with the HE Vice-President of Vietnam and Dr. Nagato Natsume, Japan, Secretary/Treasurer, ICPF. Seen here is Prof. S.M. Balaji with Prof. Takeshi Uchiyama, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Dental College, Japan

The 8th World Cleft Conference of the International Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation (ICPF) was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. This was a global confluence of renowned surgeons & researchers in cleft lip & palate & facial defects. Prof. S.M. Balaji, Board of Trustee, ICPF, was called upon to present the Awards to eminent surgeons in honor of their outstanding services to the cleft- afflicted.

Prof. S.M. Balaji presenting the Humanitarian Award to Dr. David S. Precious, Dalhousie University, Canada, for his 20 years of free corrective surgery on children with cleft lip and palate in developing countries. Accepting the Award on behalf of Prof. Precious is Dr. Ben Davis.

Prof. S.M. Balaji presenting the Humanitarian Award to Dr. Kohama, Japan, for his exemplary & altruistic services to those with facial cleft defects.